Question

In 1931, the American historian and writer James Truslow Adams wrote a book called "The Epic of America." Like many others, this book told the history of our nation. But unlike most history books, "The Epic of America" did not focus on events. Instead, it told the nation's history through how the average American has grown and changed.

Adams stated that the American dream is "that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement. It is a difficult dream for the European upper classes to interpret adequately, and too many of us ourselves have grown weary and mistrustful of it."
According to Adams, the American dream was not about material possessions or money. Instead, it was a dream of a society in which each man and each woman could reach the highest place that their abilities enabled regardless of where they started in life. That person could then be recognized by others for their accomplishments. Where they were born or who their family was did not matter.
Chasing the dream
The authors of the United States’ Declaration of Independence held certain truths to be self-evident. They believed that "all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, and that among these are life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness." Might this sentiment be considered the foundation of the American dream?
Consider the homesteaders who left the big cities of the east to find their piece of land in the unknown wilderness of the frontier. Were these Americans pursuing these Rights? What about the immigrants who came to the United States? Were they seeking their bit of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, their dream? The veteran of World War II wished to settle down and to have a home, a car and a family. What does this desire tell us about how this dream has changed over time? Is the American dream attainable by all Americans?
The belief that each American has the freedom to pursue a better life often involves a nice house, a car or two and a more comfortable existence than our parents. Incredible "Rags to Riches" stories have been fueled by this belief. Presidents have started out in log cabins. Highly successful entrepreneurs have come to America as penniless immigrants. More recently, we have seen Bill Gates, the guy who dropped out of Harvard, become the richest man in the world.
More than just material wealth
In the 1800s, the American novelist Horatio Alger, Jr. wrote about the ideal that those who worked hard would receive their rewards. The young heroes of his books "pulled themselves up by their bootstraps" and proved America to be the land of opportunity.
Some say that the American dream has become the pursuit of material wealth. Today, people work more hours in order to buy bigger cars, fancier homes and what they view as better lives for their families. As a result, they have less time to enjoy this wealth. Others say that the American dream is beyond the grasp of the working poor who must work multiple jobs to ensure their family’s survival. Yet others look toward a new American dream with less focus on financial gain. They place more emphasis on living a simple, fulfilling life.
The American novelist Thomas Wolfe said that every man, regardless of birth, had "…the right to live, to work, to be himself and to become whatever thing his manhood and his vision can combine to make him."
Is this your American dream?
Why is the event described in the article taught in schools today? What are the lasting lessons that we can learn from studying this event? Support your response with evidence from the text.

Answer 1

The American Dream is a set of ideals that promote opportunity and upward social mobility. Immigrants to the United States sought their share of the American Dream, believing in the land of opportunity. Studying this event teaches the importance of opportunity, the power of diversity, and the ongoing struggle to make the American Dream accessible to all.

Step-by-step explanation:

The American Dream is a set of ideals that promote the opportunity for prosperity, success, and upward social mobility for all individuals. It emphasizes that hard work and ability are the keys to achieving a better and fuller life, regardless of social class or circumstances of birth. The American Dream has evolved over time, with different generations having different interpretations of what it means.

One important event that is taught in schools today is the immigration to the United States. Immigrants came to America seeking their share of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. They believed in the American Dream and saw America as a land of opportunity, where they could improve their lives and provide a better future for their families. By studying this event, students can learn about the ideals and values that have shaped American society and understand the significance of the American Dream as a driving force in the country's history.

The lasting lessons we can learn from studying this event include the importance of opportunity and hard work in achieving success, the power of diversity and immigrants in shaping the nation, and the ongoing struggle to make the American Dream accessible to all Americans, regardless of their background or circumstances.